Aerial Maps for Commercial Real Estate: What to Include and How to Get One Same Day
In commercial real estate, the first question every buyer, tenant and lender asks is simple: where is it? A well-labeled aerial map answers that in seconds. It shows the property, what surrounds it, and why the location works, before anyone reads a word of the offering memorandum.
What is a commercial real estate aerial map?
A commercial real estate aerial map is an aerial or satellite photo of a property and its surroundings, labeled to tell a location story. It marks the subject parcel, nearby retailers and anchors, major roads and community landmarks. Brokers use aerials in offering memoranda (OMs), leasing flyers, pitch decks, listing sites and investor presentations.
What a great CRE aerial should include
Subject property outline: an accurate parcel boundary plus a clear callout with acreage, address and APN.
Retailer and anchor logos: national and regional tenants nearby, from grocery anchors and big-box stores to banks, coffee and QSR, connected with clean leader lines.
Major roads and highways: street names set right on the road, route shields, and the primary corridors highlighted.
Directional labels: arrows pointing to nearby cities and towns, with mileage.
Landmarks and demand drivers: downtown districts, hospitals, universities and other places that bring people to the area.
Traffic counts (optional): recent AADT counts on frontage roads when visibility is part of the pitch.
Why aerial maps matter in a listing
Buyers and tenants scan before they read. An aerial shows co-tenancy, access and demand drivers at a glance, and it is often the most reused image in a deal: on the OM cover, the flyer, the listing page and the pitch deck. A cluttered or outdated aerial undercuts the property. A clean, accurate one makes the site look as strong as it is.
The old way: days of back-and-forth
Traditionally, a broker sends a site to a designer, waits for a proof, sends corrections, and waits again. Add the research on surrounding tenants and a single labeled aerial can take several days. That is a problem when the listing is ready to launch tomorrow.
The new way: Same Day Aerials™
Same Day Aerials™ from Location Graphics combines AI-powered research and layout with a human designer's quality check. You upload your aerial photo and property details. We identify the surrounding retailers, label roads and landmarks, outline your subject property, and deliver a market-ready aerial. Most orders arrive the same day.
How it works:
Upload your aerial photo and the property address.
Choose your page size and any add-ons, such as traffic counts.
AI handles the research and layout, and a designer checks every detail.
Receive your finished file, ready for your OM, flyer or pitch deck.
Tips for getting the best aerial
Start with a high-resolution photo. Drone shots and high-quality oblique aerials work best.
Include the parcel number so the property outline is exact.
Share the story you want to tell: anchor co-tenancy, freeway access, a growing residential base.
Choose the format up front: horizontal for decks and OMs, vertical for flyers.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a labeled aerial take?
With Same Day Aerials™, most orders are delivered the same day. Orders placed late in the day are delivered the next day.
Can I use my own drone or aerial photo?
Yes. You upload your own photo with your order, and we label it for you.
What sizes are available?
Aerials come in 11 x 8.5 and 13.33 x 7.5 horizontal formats, plus an 8.5 x 11 vertical format.
Do you create custom maps beyond aerials?
Yes. Location Graphics also designs custom maps, aerial overlays, offering memoranda and investor decks. Contact us to talk about a project.
Get your next aerial today
A strong location story shouldn't hold up a listing. Upload your photo and order a Same Day Aerial to get a labeled, market-ready aerial for your next deal.
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